Presence of Harris haunts Leeds

Iestyn Harris has silenced the doubters who questioned the logic of Bradford Bulls persuading the former Leeds Rhinos player to return from a three-year exile in Welsh rugby union last season.

Harris, by his own admission, has taken time to readjust to Super League but the metamorphosis will be complete if the 29-year-old stand-off can inspire Bradford to Grand Final success in tonight's Old Trafford showpiece against his old club, Leeds.

Oldham-born Harris won 21 Wales rugby union caps after accepting a four-year deal worth around £1 million to join Cardiff in August 2001. He returned to Super League last year older, wiser, wealthier and, inevitably, slower when he took up the clause in his contract allowing his release a year early from the 15-a-side code.

Harris is now back in the game he knows best, with sponsors largely funding his near £1 million, 4½-year contract with Bradford, who have benefited from his partnership with Paul Deacon this season.

The pace may not be as electrifying these days but the radar-controlled passes regularly produce tries for team-mates and the sidestep is still a key weapon in his armoury.

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Leeds will be even more incensed if Harris can deny them back-to-back Grand Final successes in front of a 65,000 capacity crowd tonight after they won last year's contest 16-8.

Leeds had always maintained they had first refusal if Harris decided to return from union and were so aggrieved they took their complaint to the High Court and won the case, with final compensation still to be settled. Leeds believe they are entitled to around £500,000.

Harris, who has scored 19 tries in 33 appearances for Bradford this season, admitted: "It has been difficult to readapt to Super League and I knew it would take me a while.

"The game has moved on while I was in union and it was not easy getting used to the speed when I returned.

"I also had to get my body back in shape to play Super League, but the biggest problem was the pace.

"It's even faster now than when I went to union and it's going to get even better with the 15-year-old kids coming through receiving better training and coaching."

Robbie Paul, the former Bradford captain who is likely to play his last match for the club tonight before joining Huddersfield, has no doubt about Harris' influence.

Paul, 29, said: "I have been around for a long time but learned a lot from Iestyn this season.

"He was feeling his way and was quiet last year but has made his presence felt this season and made a huge impact. He has taught me plenty about leadership."

Harris signed for Leeds from Warrington for £325,000 plus forward Danny Sculthorpe, now at Wigan, in 1997.

The next season he won the Man of Steel, Players' Player of the Year and the Rugby League Writers' Association Player of the Year awards.

He captained Wales to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2000 and has won 12 Geat Britain caps but his only trophy success has been leading Leeds to their 1999 Wembley Challenge Cup triumph over London Broncos.

Bradford, with almost a full complement of players back, have won 11 successive matches and Harris said: "We are playing better this year as a team and it is tough to find any weaknesses."